A nasal spray that contains esketamine — a potent derivative of ketamine — can now be taken on its own to treat adults with severe depression, the FDA says. Here's what that means.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved the nasal spray Spravato for the treatment of major depression in people who have not responded to at least two oral antidepressants.

Johnson & Johnson has announced the FDA’s approval of a first-of-its-kind, esketamine nasal spray called Spravato for the standalone treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD), PTSD, and similar psychiatric conditions.

A ketamine-derived nasal spray is now available for the millions of Americans living with severe depression. The hallucinogenic drug is an option when traditional treatment isn’t working, but it’s not without risk.

The expanded indication allows esketamine nasal spray to be used as a standalone treatment in adults with MDD who have not responded to at least two oral antidepressants.

Fact checked by Nick Blackmer The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has expanded its approval of a ketamine nasal spray, Spravato (esketamine), as a standalone therapy for adults with treatment-resistant depression.

CIII allows people who have tried at least two oral antidepressants to use the spray on its own – without the need for more medication.